Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record2020·Kenya

Soil Properties and Fertility Management within Ruiru Peri-Urban Area in Kiambu County, Kenya

F. Waswa, M. Mwamburi, I. I. C. Wakindiki, Roseline Chemutai

Journal of applied science and environmental management

Urban Farm DB summary

This study focused on soil physicochemical properties and fertility management in Ruiru Sub County, a peri-urban area in Kiambu County, Kenya. Soil samples from ten small contact farms (~0.1 ha) were analyzed, revealing that most farmers were tenants growing leafy vegetables, maintaining soil fertility with organic manures, and performing tillage by hand. These practices signal limitations imposed by small farm size and lack of land ownership, with soil fertility primarily limited by the interaction of soil pH, K, and Ca.